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Topic: Permanent Verapamil (Read 324 times) |
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tzeller
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I've been very lucky in that the standard battery of treatments for cluster headache has usually worked to control a bout. And by standard battery, I mean this:
1) Large doses of prednisone at outset, to knock out the headaches immediately (this really works).
2) Simultaneous daily dose of 240mg of Verapamil
3) Taper off prednisone over 2 weeks while continuing Verapamil - now built up in the system - for a month and a half or so, or until I think I'm in the clear and the cluster period is over.
I wonder, though, if it wouldn't make sense to just stay on Verapamil permanently. I recently met a fellow cluster sufferer whose headaches seemed to disappear when he hit his mid-40s (he's in his mid-50s now). He attributes it to age, in that some people have been shown to "grow out of" cluster headaches. But he also mentioned that he's been taking calcium channel blockers every day since that time! I was floored.
Anyone know if this is common? I had always thought of verapamil as a temporary treatment, to be used until the bout was over, but if it works for the bout, why not just stay on it and prevent future bouts altogether? Are there major side-effects? Anyone doing this?
Best to all and may you find your way to relief.
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Marijke
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Re: Permanent Verapamil
« Reply #1 on: Jul 14th, 2002, 8:18am » |
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tzeller,
Yes, I have heard more ppl saying that CH can get less the older you get.
There is one thing you should consider, when you take verapamil for a longer period: it can stop working, and then you will need at least a 3 month period for it to start working again. If prednisone helps to stop attacks pretty soon, I would not take the stuff continuously. Why take it when you don't need it?
Marijke
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Ueli
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I started Verapamil 6 years ago, with great success. On the recommendation of my neuro I continued Verapamil after the bout had ended, reducing the dose to about 2/3 to 1/2.
Big advantage: At the beginning of the next bout, going back to the full dose, the preventive effect was reached again in 2 or 3 day. I never had to take the poisonous Prednisone.
I don't believe in Verapamil losing its effectiveness by prolonged use, and I can't imagine a way why this should happen.
PFNADs
Ueli
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The mad viking
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Always Look on The Bright Side of Life
 
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Re: Permanent Verapamil
« Reply #3 on: Jul 14th, 2002, 3:57pm » |
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I use Verapamil Retard 120mg 1/day every day
When i`m in cycle i`m up to 5X120mg a day
Its does miracles for me.
Imitrex is Gods gift to mankind when its come down to kill the pain
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Always Look on The Bright Side of Life
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Marc
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Re: Permanent Verapamil
« Reply #4 on: Jul 15th, 2002, 10:36pm » |
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I've been on Verapamil at 360-540mg everyday for almost 2 years. I'm not pain free, but compared to before ........ I can handle the "break-throughs" with ease!
Once in while, I try to taper down to 240mg but I get "hit" bad. I have NO intention of giving up my friend Verapamil.
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rick
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Re: Permanent Verapamil
« Reply #5 on: Jul 16th, 2002, 2:07am » |
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All y'all,
It's great to hear of a drug actually working for once. I pray you all have continued success.
PFDAN to all,
-Rick
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RichardN
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Re: Permanent Verapamil
« Reply #6 on: Jul 16th, 2002, 10:26am » |
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Another on the Verapamil bandwagon. Don't know about the "gets better with age" - - - I'm 55 an (only?) battling the beast since 1/01 - - - I'm one of the 15-17% whose CH's seemed to start as the result of head injury. When came here in late Feb., was having 6-8 attacks per day, KIP 5-9, EVERYDAY ! Took info from this site to my (skeptical) doc, and got script for Verapamil (120mg) and 02. Increased Verap to 180, then 240 at which time CHs all but stopped - - - when they started increasing intensity/duration again last month, I wanted to go up another 60 mg. Doc says they don't make it in 300mg, so he prescribed Verelan 360. Mostly pain free this last month, with maybe a dozen KIP 3-4 and a couple or three shadows a day I knock out with the 02 - - "hit" it a little while ago - - - 02, wunnerful 02
Question..........Just called my (new) doc's office to request script for Verapamil 240 &180 - - - Chs have been getting "regular" again (almost every night) and I need an increase. Scripts for both the Verap 240 AND 180 mg Verapamil are less than half the costs of the Verelan capsules. Do those of you who take multiple tablets "spread them out", or do you take them at the same time? Also, haven't I read that The regullar Verap is preferable to the time release capsules?
Sorry to be so long-winded. Also forgot to mention that I am chronic. All praise Verapamil - - - thanks guys
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I can live with the beast as long as I don't have to "dance" with the bastard.
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Ueli
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For RichardN
Dr. Goadsby (and he should know it) recommends the regular Verapamil over the slow or extended release versions. (It is usually cheaper too). It can't hurt to spread out the daily dose, and breaking the regular tablets in halves is no problem. I take my daily dose of 560 mg as 7 tablets at 80mg, spread into 3 takings.
PFNADs,
Ueli
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